The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has
lifted its laptop ban on flights from Abu Dhabi after a "successful
validation of security measures," according to Etihad Airways. Of the 10
airports affected by the initial
onboard electronics ban that began in March, Abu Dhabi is the only one that
houses U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance, which allows passengers
to clear customs and immigration inspections in Abu Dhabi, before boarding,
rather than upon arrival in the U.S. Last week, the DHS announced
new security requirements for all airports serving the U.S., saying that
those requirements, if followed, override the need for a laptop ban. Expanding
the number of Preclearance sites was among the DHS's goals.